Master of Social Work - Advanced Standing

Overview

The WVU Master of Social Work program educates students to become advanced integrated practice social workers. The specialization in advanced integrated practice builds on generalist practice and prepares students to integrate micro, mezzo, and macro practice skills across service sectors and within interdisciplinary teams to effectively address social and human problems pertinent to a wide range of professional practice areas, with a particular emphasis on effective models of rural service delivery.

The advanced integrated practice curriculum provides an integrative approach to social work where students are prepared for both direct practice and administrative roles. This curriculum prepares WVU MSW graduates to be well-rounded advanced practitioners who can respond to the complex realities of practice in a variety of roles and settings.

Students are eligible to pursue the Advanced standing degree plan option if they have earned a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited university within the previous 8 years. The Advanced Standing degree plan option can be pursued through our online program on a part-time basis only. Students who pursue the Advanced Standing degree plan option through the online program begin the program in the fall semester and complete the degree the summer after their second year in classes.

Students with a bachelor’s degree other than social work, or with a BSW degree earned more than eight years ago, should go to the Social Work MSW – Regular Standing page.

Accreditation

West Virginia University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The Master of Social Work program is national accredited by the Council for Social Work Education (CSWE).

Courses Required

Total Credit Hours

Course Formats

Online Courses

Tuition and Financial Aid

Estimated Tuition and Fees

The Master of Social Work – Advanced Standing requires 36 credit hours to complete and is offered on a part-time basis only. Cost per credit hour is $631.

$22,716

Residents and Non-Residents

Estimated Tuition Based on Credit Hours
Credit Hours	Cost
1	$631
3	$1,893
6	$3,786
9	$5,679

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available. Students are encouraged to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to determine their eligibility for federal and state funds as well as scholarships. WVU’s FAFSA Code is 003827.

Admissions Process

Admissions

The School of Social Work has an online application process. To apply, go to graduateadmissions.wvu.edu/.

Application Deadlines

ADVANCED STANDING

Applications are accepted from February 1 to April 15 and reviewed on a rolling basis. February 1 is the priority deadline. Applications submitted by February 1 will be given preference for scholarships.

April 15 is the standard deadline. All applications must be submitted by April 15 for consideration. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis from late February through April 15.

NOTE: We have completed admissions for the 2019-2020 academic year.

NOTE: International applicants living outside of the United States are not eligible to apply to the online MSW program.

Admissions Requirements- Advanced Standing

Applicants who have received a BSW from a Council of Social Work Education-accredited program within the last eight years may apply for Advanced Standing. Those with a bachelor’s degree other than social work, or with a BSW degree earned more than eight years ago, should go to the Social Work MSW – Regular Standing page.
Advanced Standing allows students with a BSW degree to move directly to the program’s advanced curriculum, waiving foundation-level courses, as well as the generalist-foundation field experience.
A 2.75 overall GPA is required, though a 3.0 GPA is preferred
A 3.25 or higher GPA in undergraduate social work courses is preferred
Students with an overall GPA below 2.75 may be considered for provisional admission based on a review of the applicant’s transcript(s) and the strengths of the other elements on the application.

Application Requirements

Application and Application Fee

Complete the combined WVU Graduate/School of Social Work application
$60 application fee

Transcripts

Submit official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework to the WVU Office of Graduate Admissions at P.O. Box 6009, Morgantown, WV 26506. (*NOTE: official transcripts for applicants who attended West Virginia University will be uploaded by WVU Graduate Admissions upon submission of the graduate application).
Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded by applicants in their application for the purposes of review for admission. However, official transcripts are required before a formal acceptance to the MSW program is offered.

Resume

Submit a current resume including employment, volunteer experience, including start and end dates.

Letters of Recommendation

Three professional letters of recommendation are required. Contact information for these individuals should be provided within the online Graduate Application. Please submit a recommendation from each of the following categories*** (see note below):

Academic**(see note for advanced-standing applicants below)
Social Work/Human Service Experience (volunteer or paid)
Employer

**It is preferred that advanced-standing applicants submit a supporting recommendation from the director of their undergraduate program. Use this as the academic reference. A recommendation from a different BSW faculty member is also acceptable.

***The recommendation suggestions above are preferable, however, for applicants that have been out of school for many years or who have been working in the field, a combination of 3 professional recommendations that address your ability to handle the rigors of graduate studies and your experience and skills in the helping field are acceptable. For students right out of undergraduate studies with little work experience; a combination of 3 professional recommendations that include 2 academic references and a social work/human service experience recommendation are appropriate. Questions? Contact us at socialwork@mail.wvu.edu.

Admission Essay

All applicants must submit an Admission Essay. Please see detailed guidelines for the essay on the WVU School of Social Work website.

Case Study

Students applying for Advanced Standing status must also complete a case study on a hypothetical practice example.

For more information, contact Master of Social Work Admissions & Recruitment at socialwork@mail.wvu.edu or phone (304) 293-3280.

Apply Now

Curriculum

The program is 36 credit hours for Advanced Standing students and the degree can be completed in 2 years. All courses are offered online except for the field placements which will be arranged in or near the student’s home community. During the Specialized-Advanced field placement (SOWK 682), students are expected to be in their field internships 16-20 hours per week for a total of 600 hours over the course of 37 weeks (fall, spring, and summer of the second year).

Curriculum: Advanced Standing

PR: Graduate standing in SOWK and students must have completed all 500-level courses in the MSW degree plan or have Advanced Standing status. Analyzes mental illness assessment and diagnosis from a social work perspective. Examines the impact of major mental illnesses on diverse client populations across the life cycle and multi-level systems. Assessment, diagnostic, and intervention strategies are provided for advancing social work methods of assessment and diagnosis within integrated practice settings.

PR: Graduate standing in SOWK and students must have completed all 500-level courses in the MSW degree plan or have Advanced Standing status. Focus on social work theories and methods consistent with integrated practice with individuals. Emphasis on evidence-based theories and methods relevant to integrated practice in contemporary settings. Advanced integrated practice addressed within a context of professional social work values and ethics, social justice, and affirmation of the human rights of diverse groups of people.

PR: Graduate standing in SOWK and students must have completed all 500-level courses in the MSW degree plan or have Advanced Standing status. Exploration of advanced integrated social work practice with families and groups. Emphasis on group work and family intervention relevant to integrated practice in contemporary settings, the context of professional social work values and ethics, social justice, and affirmation of the human rights of diverse groups of people.

PR: Graduate standing in SOWK and students must have completed all 500-level courses in the MSW degree plan or have Advanced Standing status. Examination of concepts, principles, and skills of social agency and program administration from an integrated practice perspective. Includes programming, budgeting, staffing, organization, and management of social agencies and programs. Addresses relationships with constituents and other human service organizations and systems within a context of professional social work values and ethics, social justice, and human rights.

PR: Graduate standing in SOWK. Focus is on financial management and grant development in social service settings from an integrated practice perspective. Topics include accountability, budgeting, cost measurement, grant writing, and nonprofit management within the context of professional social work values and ethics, social justice, and affirmation of the human rights of diverse groups of people.

PR: Graduate standing in SOWK and students must have successfully completed SOWK 582 or have Advanced Standing status and students are expected to take all sections of SOWK 682 in sequence as denoted on their degree plans. Community-based advanced field placement and integrative seminar. Students learn to apply advanced integrated practice skills. They engage with interdisciplinary teams to address social and human problems within a context of social work values and ethics, social justice, and affirmation of the human rights of diverse groups of people.

Electives
(Select two of the following)

PR: Graduate standing in SOWK. Examines the structure of the United States’ public mental health system for children and related policy issues. Analysis of mental-health construct across a prevention-treatment continuum. Students learn to distinguish universal, selected, and indicated prevention from treatment. Risk and protective factors, evidence-based prevention and treatment interventions are evaluated throughout the course.

PR: Graduate standing in SOWK. Prepares students to address challenges of integrating services for persons with health, mental health and substance use problems. Addresses language and culture of health, theories and models for integrated health care. Examines role of behavioral health providers in primary care settings. Examines multidisciplinary team practice and best practices for assessment and intervention.

PR: Graduate standing in SOWK. Examination of theoretical and neuro-biological perspectives on addiction from an integrated practice perspective. Study of evidence-based intervention strategies used for engagement, assessment, and treatment of individuals who have substance use disorders. Discussion of impact of substance-use disorders and addiction on families and society. Review of substance use-related social policies.

PR: Graduate standing in SOWK. Theories and methods of integrated practice in child welfare. Examination of child welfare policy and services, including family preservation and home-based services, adoption, foster and residential care, community-based practices, and intervention in the context of professional social work values and ethics, social justice, and affirmation of the human rights of diverse groups of people.

Next Start Date: August 19, 2020 Apply Now

Careers

What can you do with a Master of Social Work - Advanced Standing?

Students who graduate from WVU Online with the Master of Social Work degree may be prepared for the following careers. These are only a few examples of some of the many opportunities that will be open to you with this degree. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for some positions.

Information about careers on this list comes from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

Social Worker

Projected Growth: 5-9%

Social Work Teacher – Postsecondary

Projected Growth: 10-14% *Bright Outlook

Rehabilitation Counselor

Projected Growth: 10-14% *Bright Outlook

Social and Community Service Manager

Projected Growth: 15% or higher *Bright Outlook

Mental Health Counselor

Projected Growth: 15% or higher *Bright Outlook

Child, Family and School Social Worker

Projected Growth: 10-14% *Bright Outlook

Healthcare Social Worker

Projected Growth: 15% or higher *Bright Outlook

Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker

Projected Growth: 15% or higher *Bright Outlook

Educational, Guidance School and Vocational Counselors

Projected Growth: 10- 14% *Bright Outlook

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